JOHOR BARU: A father and his girlfriend were charged at the Sessions Court here for abandoning his seven-year-old son and causing him malnutrition.

The accused, R. Thayalan, 37, and K. Mageswari, 39, pleaded guilty to the charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 before judge Fatimah Zahari on Sunday (Oct 22).

According to the charge sheet, the duo with the right to care for the child had neglected him between July and Oct 12 this year.

The act was committed at a flat in Jalan Pulai Jaya 1/2, Taman Pulai Jaya, Johor Baru.

The charge carries a fine of up to RM50,000, a maximum jail term of 20 years, or both upon conviction.

Meanwhile, Mageswari also faces a second charge for causing physical injury to the victim’s right hand under the same act. She pleaded not guilty.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutors S. Thiviya and Umar Faiz Abdul Kohar, while both of the accused were unrepresented.

During the proceeding, Thayalan, a van driver, pleaded for a lower bail as he is currently caring for his 64-year-old mother and must pay his house rent and car.

Mageswari, in her defence, also pleaded for a lower bail as she is not working and has a three-year-old daughter who needs to be taken care of.

Fatimah then set bail at RM6,000 for each of the accused with one surety and set additional terms for the duo to report to the police station every month and to hand over their international passports to the court.

The court then set Nov 21 for the next mention and counsel appointment.

The couple were arrested by the police on Oct 13 at 4.13pm after receiving a report from a woman who found the child naked and locked in a toilet at a flat in Taman Pulai Jaya.

The victim is currently under the care of the Welfare Department and is being treated at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital.